Pilotטייס/ת
What the Pilot role asks for, and what it holds
A pilot is an air force combat officer who flies aircraft and serves in the aircrew.
CombatAir ForceProfile 97+Men and womenTry-outDark grey
The role asks for a medical profile of 97 and up.
The medical profile runs from 21 to 97.
- Kind of role
- Combat
- Branch
- Air Force
- Open to
- Men and women
- Medical profile
- 97 and up
- Try-out
- For men and women
- Training place
- Hatzerim Air Force Base
This is what the work of the role holds.
Aircrew members are combat officers who take part in protecting the country and its citizens. Their missions include air attack and air defense, intelligence gathering and cooperation with IDF ground forces.
The flight school trains aircrew in 6 main flight professions. These include flight engineers, transport navigators and pilots, helicopter pilots, and fighter navigators and pilots.
This is how the IDF's page sets out the way into the role.
- 1An online test of about 40 minutes, taken at home on a computer within 2 days. It is game-like and needs no earlier knowledge or preparation. Candidates without suitable conditions can take it on the selection day.
- 2Flight tests part A: thinking tests, then a flight simulator for those who pass. The day lasts about 6 hours, and medication for attention disorders may not be taken that day.
- 3Flight tests part B: an advanced simulator with navigation, targets and radio tasks, an eye exam by an optometrist, and personality questionnaires. Candidates with glasses bring them and do not wear contact lenses, and some candidates complete the questionnaires on a later date depending on their school year.
- 4An online interview with a psychologist, after filling in a motivation questionnaire sent by email. The result is based on all the data gathered so far.
- 5A flight selection camp of 5 days at the flight school at Hatzerim, held in February or March and in October or November. It tests physical and mental ability, leadership and coping with stress.
- 6A series of thorough medical tests of fitness for the physical demands of aircrew.
This is how the training for the role runs.
Training lasts 3 years at the flight school at Hatzerim Air Force Base, in 5 stages: 4 training stages of half a year each and 1 year of academic studies. It covers a year of basics, a year of flying and a year of education.
Where it trainsHatzerim Air Force Base
This is what service in the role looks like.
Pilots serve at bases across the country. At the start of the flight course the soldier signs on for 7 years of career service, and aircrew have routine medical checks once a year.
The role also asks for a few more things.
- Age up to 23, or up to 24 for holders of a first degree diploma when the course opens.
- No disqualifying medical clauses and eyesight good enough for long service as aircrew.
- For men, the flight course freezes selection for other units. A waiver can be signed only on the morning the selection camp opens, it cannot be undone, and missing a flight call-up freezes all IDF selections.
- Women can go through selection for other IDF roles at the same time.
- Soldiers in compulsory or career service who meet the requirements can apply through their unit's personnel staff with a placement change form, a personal letter and a flight questionnaire.
The Pilot role belongs to these units in the guide.
More roles to read about in the same branch.
- Shaldag Unit combat soldierCombat · Profile 97+
- Unit 669 combat soldierCombat · Profile 97+
- Wing 7 combat soldier (Air Force)Combat · Profile 72+
- Kodkod combat soldierCombat · Profile 72+
- Forward assault landing guide (Air Force)Combat · Profile 82+
- Electronic warfare operator (Air Force)Combat · Profile 72+
Frequently asked questions
What does the Pilot role ask for?
The role asks for a medical profile of 97 and up.
Who can serve as Pilot?
The role is open to men and women.
Is there a try-out for Pilot?
Yes, for men and women. The IDF's page sets out the selection this way. An online test of about 40 minutes, taken at home on a computer within 2 days. It is game-like and needs no earlier knowledge or preparation. Candidates without suitable conditions can take it on the selection day. Flight tests part A: thinking tests, then a flight simulator for those who pass. The day lasts about 6 hours, and medication for attention disorders may not be taken that day. Flight tests part B: an advanced simulator with navigation, targets and radio tasks, an eye exam by an optometrist, and personality questionnaires. Candidates with glasses bring them and do not wear contact lenses, and some candidates complete the questionnaires on a later date depending on their school year. An online interview with a psychologist, after filling in a motivation questionnaire sent by email. The result is based on all the data gathered so far. A flight selection camp of 5 days at the flight school at Hatzerim, held in February or March and in October or November. It tests physical and mental ability, leadership and coping with stress. A series of thorough medical tests of fitness for the physical demands of aircrew.
What does the training for Pilot hold?
Training lasts 3 years at the flight school at Hatzerim Air Force Base, in 5 stages: 4 training stages of half a year each and 1 year of academic studies. It covers a year of basics, a year of flying and a year of education.
This page was written from the IDF's pages for future soldiers, read on 6 November 2026.
- The role's page on the IDF's site: Pilot
The requirements and screenings change from time to time, and the IDF's page for each role is the one that counts.
Photo credits
- Israel Defense Forces, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons